Welding is an inherently high-risk activity for the eyes, exposing the worker to intense light radiation, heat, sparks, and flying debris. Individuals who require vision correction often wonder if their contact lenses introduce an additional layer of danger. It is physically possible to weld while wearing contacts, but only when all mandatory and appropriate eye protection is in place. Contact lenses do not offer any protection and should be treated as a vision correction tool, requiring the same stringent safety protocols as someone with uncorrected vision.
Addressing the Myth of Melting Contacts
A persistent urban legend suggests that the intense heat or arc flash from welding can cause contact lenses to melt or fuse directly to the cornea. This belief is entirely false and unsupported by scientific fact. Modern contact lenses are composed of hydrogel or silicone hydrogel, materials with high water content and a melting point far exceeding the temperatures the eye can tolerate.
The heat required to melt these polymer-based lenses would first cause catastrophic damage to the welder’s eyelids, cornea, and surrounding facial tissue. Any severe eye injury from welding results from a failure of the protective equipment, not the presence of a contact lens. The lens material does not react with the welding arc’s ultraviolet (UV) or infrared (IR) radiation, nor does it focus this energy onto the eye. The true risks of wearing contacts relate to environmental factors, not the lens material’s physical properties.
Increased Risk of Foreign Body Entrapment
The heightened risk for welders wearing contact lenses stems from the dusty, smoky, and particulate-heavy nature of the welding environment. Contacts can inadvertently trap airborne foreign bodies, such as fine metal dust, grinding particles, or smoke residue, between the lens surface and the corneal tissue. This entrapment can lead to severe irritation, often resulting in painful corneal abrasion.
Removing the contaminated lens can complicate first aid, potentially causing further injury as the abrasive particle is dragged across the cornea. The low-humidity and smoky air prevalent in welding shops can cause hydrogel or silicone hydrogel lenses to dehydrate quickly. This dehydration leads to increased eye dryness, discomfort, and a tighter fit, which exacerbates the potential for trapped particles to cause damage. For welders who wear rigid gas permeable (RGP) or hard contact lenses, the risk is greater because these lenses “float” on the tear film, allowing foreign matter to scrape the cornea underneath the lens.
Essential Eye Safety Measures for Welders
Regardless of whether a person wears contacts, glasses, or has perfect vision, welding demands a two-tiered system of mandatory eye protection to prevent injury from UV radiation, flying debris, and intense light. The first layer is primary protection, which must consist of American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z87.1-approved safety glasses or goggles worn directly against the face. These must have side shields to protect against sparks, slag, and grinding particles that can enter from the sides.
The second layer is the welding helmet, which incorporates a filter lens of the correct shade number. This filter blocks the intense light and harmful UV and IR radiation from the arc. Selecting the correct shade depends on the specific welding process and the amperage used. For example, Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (TIG) at 150 amps requires a shade of 9, while Shielded Metal Arc Welding (Stick) at the same amperage may require a darker shade of 10 or 11. Using a shade that is too light leads to photokeratitis, commonly known as arc flash, which is a severe sunburn of the cornea.